Laughing with or at is key to the underlining of bullying. Bullies laugh at

I remember working with children and teens at camp for about 20 years. The staff used to play jokes on each other throughout the summer. The kids at the camp joined on it. Some of these plots the cabins would plan and work out. We had some rules and guidelines. No camper was to be made a joke of. People who did not want the practical jokes were off-limits. No damage, or harm would be part of the joke. And the counselor or cabin had to clean up any outward results. If they were unsure whether they would over do it, they were to talk it out with the director or my wife. Other counselors who wanted to play the game also could her targeted. The stress was on creativity and fun. 
Most of the staff liked the game. Myself and water safety instructor had some misgivings. Our difference of opinions help keep the game safe.

Practical jokes, at camp the counselors played jokes on my wife the camp nurse and the directors wife. Both women laughed at it and found ways to get even. They were good sports and they were very creative in pay backs. At this time in my life I did not practice practical jokes nor did I expect that they be practiced on me. I was not a good sport so I was out of the game. But I could see that everybody was having fun with it and nothing was done to hurt anybody. The campers enjoyed humor of it and in particular the ladies got a big kick out of that. 

There is a big difference with laughing with somebody rather than laughing at them. We all have something that we can laugh at then, humor is probably overall pretty good. We all do something that's funny, embarrassing, awkward. 

If you lived in the town of Mayberry with Andy Griffin there were a lot of quirky people. As we watch the show Earnest T. Bass was funny to laugh at, as were Gomer Pile, Barney Fife. Andy and Don Knotts ad-libbed their characters for 8 funny years into our homes. Each of these enduring characters on the show had their human moments. They are over-the-top characters were meant to be entertainment but the humor wasn't a mean-spirited humor. 

In stark contrast to laughing at each other is the abuse of the recent incident where kids mocked the bucket challenge with human waste poured on an autistic kid. The cry-out against the kids abusing the autistic child calls out for action. Most called for the kids to be prosecuted. They did break the law. For starters, how about the parents of the bullies see the behavior for what it is. Their actions hurt another human being. To make it worse they chose a child who was limited in fighting back. Discipline starts in the home. If the bullies are to turned around this is where it has to start. The parents need to stand with their kids for what they did. They may have to be an advocate for the children in the days ahead but right now they have to see the evil in it. The bullies have to see the evil in their behavior. There may be consequences but if the parents and children do not see the evil in their actions it will be far worse as he's kind of behaviors escalate. 

The autistic child needs protection and support. I have no idea how the child could be taught to protect himself. But I think children need help in learning self protection against bullies. They need to learn to take to target off your back. If the children cannot protect themselves then we have to step in. Since Drew Carey is already involved, maybe with his creativity and intelligence he could help children stand up to bullies or how to reach out for help. 

Since we are talking about starting at home, how about a booklet or a DVD to help inform the parents on bullying and how to talk to your kids about it. Parents of bullies need help as well. We should not assume that our children are not bullies. Parenting is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities where we learn on the go. Since we don't know everything as parents it's okay learn something. Brief pointers could be present during commercial times. Maybe offering A one year degree on parenting that could also be rewarded at work with the raise. I know that's a crazy idea but it might make better parents, who in turn will make better employees and consumers. Churches could add parenting skills and reach out to young parents trying to put it altogether. Parents involved in bullying intervention will work a lot better than later social intervention. Education should be voluntary, but if children bully then education for the parents should be part of the sentence. Keep walking